Assessment of the Levels of Anxiety and Depression among Caregivers of the Clients with Psychotic Disorders

A descriptive study was conducted to assess the levels of anxiety and depression among the caregivers of psychotic patients admitted in Manasa hospital. 100 caregivers were selected as the study sample using nonprobability convenient sampling technique. Modified Hamilton anxiety scale and Beck depression scale was used as a tool for collecting data from the study sample. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. In relation to anxiety 45% had moderate anxiety, 44% had mild anxiety, 8 % had severe anxiety and 3 % had minimal anxiety. The mean score for anxiety was 42.28. In relation to depression 57% had moderate depression, 33% had mild depression, 8 % had severe depression and 2 % had minimal depression the mean score was 45.51. The correlation coefficient - 0.98 revealed that there was a positive correlation between the levels of anxiety and depression among the caregivers of the clients with psychotic disorders. There was statistically significant association between the demographic variables family income, relationship with client, type of disorder, dependency of the client and type of family and levels of anxiety and depression. To help the caregivers overcome their anxiety and depression an information booklet on steps to relieve anxiety and depression was given to them. The study concludes that anxiety and depression have a positive correlation and the caregivers of psychotic patients suffer from both, which if goes unidentified may become a cause for mental disorders among the caregivers, thereby increasing the morbidity rates.